Liveaboards Galapagos Expedition

Trip Highlights

The Galapagos have earned a mighty reputation in the world of diving and not without reason. This low-lying volcanic chain is home to diving the like of which you cannot find elsewhere on the planet. This is a dive trip that cannot fail to live up to the highest of expectations, the intoxicating mixture of marine life is completely unique.

Starting the trip with a check dive (which in itself is one to remember) is but a warm up to the real adventure. Mosquera is a submerged sandbar where sea lions laze in the sunshine before a cooling dip in the waters. Its then an overnight journey to the magical Woolfe and Darwin reefs. Rocky and unwelcoming above the water line, beneath the water awaits a truly inspiring scene. Most of the diving safari is spent on these two reefs getting to grips with every aspect of this unique underwater paradise. Returning to Gordon’s Rock is a reminder of the Galapagos’ volcanic nature – not everyone gets to dive over an extinct crater but here in the Galapagos this is the usual. In between dives there are opportunities to get ashore and meet the local inhabitants and with hiking trips to Bartolome and North Seymour or a tour of the Charles Darwin Research station there are plenty of extra activities on this Galapagos Expedition.

Famed for the wealth of sharks that patrol her waters, Hammerheads are the first and foremost attraction. Schooling in vast numbers around the submerged pinnacles of Woolfe and Darwin you are also likely to see Galapagos sharks, slinky and svelte nipping in and out of the reef. White tips hide in the reef from the larger predators and if you like your fish even bigger, whalesharks are often seen in the blue, munching on plankton along with manta, mobula and eagle rays. If you can tear your eyes off the ocean’s larger inhabitants you might just see Tuna, salema, snapper, rainbow runners and sail fins… these are just some of the smaller fish! Overland you can see iguana, penguins and more.

Every diver should certainly experience the Galapagos for themselves but the diving is not suited to novice divers. Woolfe and Darwin are the furthest point on the itinerary and divers need to be comfortable in currents and zodiac diving. The guides are experts in their fields – not only do they know how to make sure you have a safe and memorable dive trip, but they are also hugely knowledgeable about the marine life and eager to share.

The Galapagos is a once in a lifetime trip and the best diving can only be accessed from liveaboards. This is the only way to travel and dive in comfort, visiting all the hot spots and highlights of this remarkable corner of the globe.

Price Details

Price

From: GBP3850 per person (10 Days)

Price Includes

• Flights (International & Domestic)
• Transfers
• 1 night Hotel before the Liveaboard (B&B basis)
• 7 nights on a Liveaboard on a Full Board Basis
• 1 night Hotel after the Liveaboard (B&B basis)
• Hire of Tanks and Weights

Price Excludes

• Galapagos Park Entry fee approx. $100 USD and Transit Card tax approx. $10 USD. Tips, Souvenirs, Alcohol, Nitrox and additional equipment.

Departure Dates

Departures are available throughout the year and generally depart on a Saturday. Packages are generally created with London Heathrow flights but regional departures are available on request. Please make a note on your enquiry form when requesting a quote of your airport preference.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary and intended to indicate the areas dived over a typical week. Sky Dancer and Aggressor fleet may visit these sites on different days in a different order but this example itinerary is a fair representation of the areas covered over the duration of your trip.

Day 1
On arrival in Quito you have a night in a hotel.

Day 2
The transfer to San Christobel is made in the morning and from here you are taken to the boat for lunch. The afternoon check dive is made at Playa Ochoa before cocktail hour!

Day 3
Starts at Mosquera Island for two dives followed by the chance to explore North Seymour.

Day 4
Makes 4 dives at Darwin

Day 5
Commences with 2 dives at Darwin followed by the last dive at Wolf.

Day 6
Moves to Cousin Rock for two dives followed by the option to explore Bartolome Island.

Day 7
Is the final day diving with a stop at Gordon's rock. There is an option to explore South Plaxza island followed by a trip to the Charles Darwin Research centre in the afternoon.

Day 8
Is the departure day from San Christobel to return to the mainland. Depending on flight times, this may be followed by your return to the UK or a night in Quito.

Other Info

Accommodation Details

The following boats run the Galapagos Expedition itinerary regularly.

Galapagos Aggressor 1 & 2 :-
The Galapagos Aggressor fleet is truly legend and recognised as one of the very best worldwide. Since 1993 the Aggressor I and Aggressor II boats have been combing the waters beneath the astounding Galapagos Marine Park, lying 600 miles west of Ecuador, to hunt out the most exciting dive sites in this remarkable seascape. Diving from either of these 2 custom built, luxury vessels is guaranteed to get your pulse racing as you come face to face with the marine creatures that have made the region so famous.

Sky Dancer :-
Around 600 miles from Ecuador, the volcanic islands of the Galapagos are a must for any diver serious about pelagic encounters. And when you are visiting one of the most famous dive regions in the world it seems only sensible to do so on one of the most respected liveaboards. The Peter Hughes fleet work worldwide in some of the most exclusive destinations and the Sky Dancer is no exception to this. With a wealth of experience under their belts, the Sky Dancer sails the seas around the Galapagos including the unmissable Wolf and Darwin, getting you to those jaw dropping dive sites that propelled this tiny corner of the world into the limelight.